Business Diary

Monday 19 October 2026 - Friday 23 October 2026

* Committee Business relates to non-substantive items of business such as the consideration of minutes of the previous meeting and consideration of correspondence or matters arising from previous meetings
TimeVenuePlenary/Committee
Monday 19 October 2026
12:00 PMAssembly ChamberPlenary Session
Tuesday 20 October 2026
9:30 AMRoom 21Assembly and Executive Review Committee

Public from 9:30 AM (5 mins)
Committee Business

Public from 9:35 AM (60 mins)
Review of Assembly committee engagement on cross-cutting Executive strategies - oral evidence session
• Ms Jayne Brady, TEO
• Ms Moira Doherty, TEO
• Ms Grainia Long, DfC
• Mr Mike Farrar, DoH
• Hugh Widdis, DoJ
• Mrs Katrina Godfrey, DAERA
• David Malcolm, DE

Public from 10:35 AM (10 mins)
Review into Assembly and Executive Reform - update

Public from 10:45 AM (5 mins)
Committee Business
9:30 AMRoom 30Committee for Justice

Closed from 9:30 AM (80 mins)
Committee Business

Criminal Justice (Sentencing etc) Bill - Deliberations
• Mrs Liz Marsh, Assembly Clerk

Public from 10:50 AM (10 mins)
Committee Business

Criminal Justice (Sentencing etc) Bill - Recording of decisions

Committee Business
9:30 AMRoom 29Committee for the Economy

Public from 9:30 AM (5 mins)
Committee Business

Public from 9:35 AM (85 mins)
Budget 2026-27 - Department for the Economy oral and written evidence
• Ian Snowden, DfE
• Johanna Park, DfE

Public from 11:00 AM (5 mins)
Committee Business
10:00 AMSenate ChamberCommittee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs

Public from 10:00 AM (5 mins)
Committee Business

Public from 10:05 AM (40 mins)
Fisheries, Aquaculture and Water Environment Bill - Evidence session with Ulster Angling Federation
• Mr Jim Haughey MBE, Ulster Angling Federation Ltd
• Mr Ray McKeeman, Ulster Angling Federation
• Mr David Thompson, Ulster Angling Federation

Public from 10:45 AM (40 mins)
Fisheries, Aquaculture and Water Environment Bill - Briefing from RaISe
• Mr Mark Allen, Research Officer
• Ms Suzie Cave, Research Officer
• Nathan Mulholland, Research Officer

Departmental Written Briefing - Synopsis of Consultation Responses on the draft Air Quality (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026

Public from 11:25 AM (10 mins)
Committee Business

Closed from 11:35 AM (10 mins)
Fisheries, Aquaculture and Water Environment Bill - Assembly Legal Services – Delegated Powers Memorandum
• Ms Catriona Doherty, Legal Advisor
10:30 AMAssembly ChamberPlenary Session
1:00 PMRoom 106Business Committee

Closed from 1:00 PM (30 mins)
Committee Business
2:00 PMRoom 29Committee for Infrastructure

Public from 2:00 PM (5 mins)
Committee Business

Public from 2:05 PM (60 mins)
Tree Protection Bill - Department for Infrastructure – Oral Evidence
• Mrs Rosemary Daly, DfI
• Mr Scott Symington, DfI
• Mr Matt McCrisken, DfI

Public from 3:05 PM (60 mins)
Tree Protection Bill - Environmental Panel – Oral Evidence
• Mr Andrew Weatherall, Royal Society of Protection of Birds
• Mr Gregor Fulton, Woodland Trust
• Mr Paul Armstrong, Woodland Trust
• Mrs Rosemary Mulholland, Ulster Wildlife Trust

Public from 4:05 PM (5 mins)
Committee Business
Wednesday 21 October 2026
10:00 AMRoom 29Committee for Infrastructure

Public from 10:00 AM (15 mins)
Committee Business

Public from 10:15 AM (15 mins)
SL1 - The Exchange Street, Belfast (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026 - Initial Consideration

SL1 – The Craighill Park, Ballyclare (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026 - Initial Consideration

SL1 - The U7402 Old Bog Road, Moy (Abandonment and Stopping-Up) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026 - Initial Consideration

Public from 10:30 AM (60 mins)
SR 2026-168 The Circular Road, Newtownards (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026

Harbours Bill - Belfast and Foyle Harbour Authorities – Oral Evidence
• Dr Theresa Donaldson, Belfast Harbour Commissioners
• Mr Joe O'Neill, Belfast Harbour Commissioners
• Ryan McCready, Foyle Port
• Mr Ian Luney, Foyle Port

Public from 11:30 AM (60 mins)
Display of Flags and Emblems Bill - Department for Infrastructure – Oral Evidence
• Mr Mark McPeak, DfI
• Mr Graeme Belshaw, DfI
• Mr John Gamble, DfI

Public from 12:30 PM (5 mins)
Committee Business
10:00 AMRoom 30Committee for the Economy

Public from 10:00 AM (5 mins)
Committee Business

Public from 10:05 AM (5 mins)
Utility Regulator (Support for Decarbonisation Preparation) Bill - formal clause by clause
• Kellie Sprott, DfE
• Paul Skillen, DfE

Public from 10:10 AM (15 mins)
Regional Balance Bill - Assembly Research
• Mr Ross Connolly, Research Officer
• Nathan Mulholland, Research Officer

Closed from 10:25 AM (10 mins)
Regional Balance Bill - Bill Office
• Ms Stephanie Mallon, Assembly Clerk

Public from 10:35 AM (5 mins)
Renewable Electricity Generation Bill - Convention Rights Memorandum written briefing

Public from 10:40 AM (35 mins)
Credit Unions (Amendment)Bill - Pre-2nd Stage brief - Department for the Economy
• Colin Jack, DfE
• Laurence Rogers, DfE
• Chris Denvir, DfE

Credit Unions (Amendment)Bill - Call for evidence

Public from 11:15 AM (60 mins)
Waste Water Infrastructure Group - Oral and written evidence
• Mark Spence, Construction Employers Federation
• Stuart Anderson, Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce
• John Davison, Turley
• Justin Cartwright, Chartered Institute of Housing

Public from 12:15 PM (15 mins)
SR2026/178 The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026

Committee Business
1:00 PMSenate ChamberCommittee for Finance

Public from 1:00 PM (2 mins)
Committee Business

Closed from 1:02 PM (58 mins)
Performance and Culture of the Northern Ireland Civil Service - Oral briefing from former Head of the Civil Service
• Sir David Sterling, Individual

Public from 2:00 PM (30 mins)
Budget - Oral update briefing from DoF
• Mr Neil Gibson, DoF
• Ms Deborah Brown, DoF

Public from 2:30 PM (20 mins)
Marriage and Civil Partnership Bill - Written briefing from General Register Office (GRO)

Public from 2:50 PM (10 mins)
Outturn and Forecast Outturn - Written briefing Round 6 September data

Public from 3:00 PM (30 mins)
Committee Business
2:00 PMRoom 29Committee for Education

Public from 2:00 PM (15 mins)
Committee Business

Public from 2:15 PM (45 mins)
Strong Foundations: Reading and Spellings - Oral Briefing
• Dr Sharon McMurray, Stranmillis University College

Closed from 3:00 PM (45 mins)
Legal Advice - Oral Briefing by NI Assembly Legal Services
• Ms Htaik Win, Legal Advisor

Public from 3:45 PM (60 mins)
Budget Update - Oral Briefing by the Permanent Secretary

Public from 4:45 PM (15 mins)
Committee Business
2:00 PMRoom 30Committee for The Executive Office

Public from 2:00 PM (10 mins)
Committee Business

Public from 2:10 PM (60 mins)
Oral Briefing: First and deputy First Minister
• Ms Michelle O'Neill, First Minister
• Mrs Emma Little-Pengelly, deputy First Minister

Public from 3:10 PM (60 mins)
Oral Briefing: Permanent Secretary - TEO 5 Year Business Plan
• Ms Moira Doherty, TEO
• Mr Paul Donnelly, TEO
• Ms Brenda Henderson, TEO

Closed from 4:10 PM (25 mins)
Oral Briefing: Assembly Bill Office (closed session)

Public from 4:35 PM (20 mins)
Committee Business
Thursday 22 October 2026
10:00 AMRoom 21Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs

Public from 10:00 AM (5 mins)
Committee Business

Public from 10:05 AM (40 mins)
Hunting with Dogs Bill - Evidence session with Irish Council Against Blood Sports
• Ms Aideen Yourell, Irish Council Against Blood Sports
• Mr Francis Ward, Stand with Foxes

Public from 10:45 AM (40 mins)
Hunting with Dogs Bill - Evidence session with Hunting Association NI
• Ms Susan Vance-Walford, Hunting Association NI
• Mr Declan Feeney, Hunting Association NI
• Mr David Turley, Hunting Association NI
• Mr Brian Turtle, Hunting Association NI

Public from 11:25 AM (40 mins)
Hunting with Dogs Bill - Evidence session with The Irish Grouse Conservation Trust
• Mr Merlin Becker, The Irish Grouse Conservation Trust

Public from 12:05 PM (40 mins)
Hunting with Dogs Bill - Evidence session with Concerned Residents Group of Artanagh, Shanrod and Fedney
• Ms Christine Bailey, Concerned Residents Group of Artanagh, Shanrod and Fedney
• Mr William Bailey, Concerned Residents Group of Artanagh, Shanrod and Fedney

Public from 12:45 PM (40 mins)
SL1 - The Digital Waste Tracking Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026 - Oral Briefing from DAERA
• Mr Colin Breen, DAERA
• Mr Keith Carlisle, DAERA

SR 2026/179 The Official Controls (Plant Protection Products) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026

Public from 1:25 PM (20 mins)
Departmental Written Briefing - Supply Chain Transformation Fund Pilot Scheme

Departmental Written Briefing - Sea Fisheries (Amendment and Transitional Provision) Regulations 2026

Departmental Written Briefing - Update on Planning Improvement Plan

Departmental Written Briefing - Introduction of Fixed Fees for Marine EIA Services (Screening and Scoping Opinions – Summary of Responses to Consultation

Committee Business

Closed from 1:45 PM (30 mins)
Areas with Natural Constraints (Payments) Bill - Assembly Legal Services – Delegated Powers Memorandum
• Ms Catriona Doherty, Legal Advisor

Areas with Natural Constraints (Payments) Bill - Committee Deliberations
10:00 AMRoom 29Committee for Communities

Public from 10:00 AM (5 mins)
Committee Business

Closed from 10:05 AM (30 mins)
Conversion Practices (Criminalisation) Bill - Examiner of Statutory Rules advice on delegated powers

Closed from 10:35 AM (30 mins)
Conversion Practices (Criminalisation) Bill - Convention Rights Memorandum Briefing from Legal Services

Closed from 11:05 AM (15 mins)
Committee legislative scrutiny planning

Public from 11:20 AM (30 mins)
Housing (Amendment) Bill - Oral evidence from Simon Community
• Mr Jim Dennison, Simon Community NI
• Ms Cathy Brolly, Simon Community NI
• Ms Laoise McDonnell, Simon Community NI

Public from 11:50 AM (60 mins)
Housing (Amendment) Bill - Oral evidence from Department for Communities and NIHE
• Mr Paul Price, DfC
• Ms Heloise Brown, DfC
• Mr Brian O’Kane, Northern Ireland Housing Executive
• Ms Staci Bradley, Northern Ireland Housing Executive

Public from 12:50 PM (5 mins)

Public from 12:55 PM (15 mins)
Committee Business
10:00 AMRoom 30Windsor Framework Democratic Scrutiny Committee

Closed from 10:00 AM (1 mins)
Committee Business

Closed from 10:01 AM (20 mins)
Regulation (EU) 2026/2108 establishing the Union Customs Code and the European Union Customs Authority, and repealing Regulation (EU) No 952/2013 - Consideration of Draft Report

Closed from 10:21 AM (20 mins)
Regulation (EU) 2026/2108 establishing the Union Customs Code and the European Union Customs Authority, and repealing Regulation (EU) No 952/2013 - Agreement of Final Report

Closed from 10:41 AM (1 mins)
Committee Business
2:00 PMRoom 29Committee for Health

Closed from 2:00 PM (1 mins)
Committee Business

Closed from 2:01 PM (59 mins)
Informal - Lived Experience Group: Macmillan and Mindwise
• Dr Jack Armstrong, Mindwise
• Ms Mary Donaghy, Macmillan Cancer Support
• Ms Linda Warwick, Macmillan Cancer Support

Public from 3:00 PM (5 mins)
Committee Business

Public from 3:05 PM (90 mins)
Oral briefing from Belfast Health and Social Care Trust - Capital Projects, Trust Savings and Winter Preparedness

Public from 4:35 PM (5 mins)
Departmental Written Briefing - Implementation of Maternity Services Review

Public from 4:40 PM (5 mins)
Written briefing

Public from 4:45 PM (15 mins)
Committee Business
2:00 PMRoom 30Committee for Justice

Closed from 2:00 PM (75 mins)
Committee Business

Criminal Justice (Sentencing etc) Bill - Deliberations
• Mrs Liz Marsh, Assembly Clerk

Closed from 3:15 PM (15 mins)
SL1 The Justice (2011 Act) (Amendment of Schedule 3) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026 - Update to football bodies, championships and leagues - Examiner of Statutory Rules advice

Public from 3:30 PM (5 mins)
Committee Business

Public from 3:35 PM (30 mins)
Financial Services and Markets Bill - Legislative Consent Motion – Department of Justice oral evidence
• Ms Debbie Corry, DoJ
• Ms Beverley Lane, DoJ
• Mr Uel Boyd, Police Service of Northern Ireland

Public from 4:05 PM (45 mins)
Finance update - Department of Justice oral evidence
• Mr Richard Logan, DoJ
• Ms Michelle McLoughlin, DoJ
• Ms Louise Sinclair, DoJ

Public from 4:50 PM (15 mins)
Criminal Justice (Sentencing etc) Bill - Recording of decisions

Victims and Witnesses of Crime Bill - Written papers

Justice Bill - Further Consideration Stage amendments

Armed Forces Bill - Legislative Consent Memorandum – Correspondence

Immigration and Asylum Bill - Legislative Consent Memorandum - Department of Justice written paper

Draft Police (Conduct) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026 - Consultation outcome - Department of Justice written paper

Enabling Access to Justice Programme - Legal Aid Scope, Merits and Financial Eligibility – Department of Justice written paper

Public from 5:05 PM (15 mins)
Committee Business
3:00 PMSenate ChamberPublic Accounts Committee

Public from 3:00 PM (5 mins)
Committee Business

Closed from 3:05 PM (55 mins)
Committee Business - Consideration of NI Audit Office Reports

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